Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez promises Omaha investigation

Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez on Tuesday expressed his condolences to people affected by a workplace accident at an animal feed plant in Nebraska in which at least two were killed and four were critically injured, and he promised a full investigation by the department.

“My deepest condolences go out to the families and communities that lost loved ones in the tragedy at International Nutrition Inc. in Omaha,” a statement read. “It is heartbreaking when workers lose their lives while providing for their families.”

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Details about the incident, which occurred Monday and resulted in at least a dozen injuries, are still forthcoming. Many present at the scene have described seeing an explosion, but that has yet to be confirmed by investigators. What is clear is that the second and third floors of the building collapsed.

About 38 people were in the plant at the time, according to local reports.

“Staff from my department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration are on-site and will conduct a full and thorough investigation,” Perez said. “There are many questions yet to be answered about what caused this disaster, but I am confident that the answers provided by federal, state and local officials can offer lessons that will help avoid tragedies like this one in the future.”